One held in Herat for Indian priest’s abduction

Afghanistan authorities have arrested a person who helped six gunmen abduct Indian Jesuit priest Alexis Prem Kumar from Herat on Monday. However, there is no information yet about the whereabouts of the priest and nobody has so far claimed the responsibility for the event.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj is monitoring the situation. The Indian missions Afghanistan are taking up the matter with various local authorities.

The spokesperson in the external affairs ministry denied that Kumar had any connection with the Indian government.

As the officials wait to hear from Afghan authorities, what is also confusing is why the priest left Harat city limits. There were strict advisories that Indians working there — including the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) members, where the priest was the country director — should not leave the city. The abduction comes nearly 10 days after the attack on the Indian consulate in Herat on May 23.

Kumar had accompanied teachers on a visit to Sohadat village, 25 km from Herat. He was kidnapped from the school as he was about to return to Herat, the JRS said.